Bridging contract for RAF’s synthetic training system will maintain vital multi-domain training capability until 2028 while supporting Strategic Defence Review ambitions.
Boeing Defence UK has been awarded a two-year contract extension worth £16.9 million to continue supporting the Gladiator synthetic training environment. During this period, Air Command & Control, Combat Air and Joint Fires platforms will be integrated, significantly enhancing the training provided.
Gladiator is an innovative capability that enables high-fidelity, cost-effective team and collective operational training within a secure synthetic environment. It operates across domains, with partner nations and at a scale and complexity that is not possible in the live environment.
The core Gladiator system is MOD-owned. It is operated, maintained and incrementally developed at the Air Battlespace Training Centre, RAF Waddington, by a whole force including service personnel, civil servants and industry partners.
“Gladiator is critical for enabling aircrew and air C2 aviators to train collectively in a realistic, networked environment that replicates the complexity of modern multi-domain operations. This contract allows us to continue to integrate platforms and decision-makers in a synthetic battlespace, that builds interoperability, enhances mission readiness, and ensures crews can operate as a cohesive force under contested conditions.”
Group Captain Froome
Senior Responsible Owner for Gladiator in Air Capability within Air Command
This two-year contract allows essential capabilities to be integrated including F-35 Lightning, Air Command and Control, and Typhoon. As a spiral development programme, Gladiator is expanding its scope with plans to incorporate team and collective training for E-7 Wedgetail, P-8 Poseidon and Protector in the future, as well as pursuing support to the Air Mobility Force and Joint Aviation Command.
Gladiator will enable the realisation of multi-domain ambitions through integration of the Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer and has already proven its efficacy in trials with the Ground Based Air Defence community. The next 2 years will facilitate further close collaboration with the Royal Navy as it develops its own collective training environment, SPARTAN, proving the truly multi-domain focus of this force-multiplying RAF endeavour.
"We're proud to continue our partnership with the Ministry of Defence on this cutting-edge training system. Gladiator represents a step change in capability for the UK, enabling crews and ground forces from all three services, along with allies and partners, to train in a secure and seamless virtual environment. Working with our UK technology suppliers, we're delivering an open-source solution that meets current and future training needs while supporting over 50 highly skilled jobs across the UK."
Thom Breckenridge
Managing Director of Boeing Defence UK
